Microsoft is having a crack at backtracking on comments about the new Xbox made by general manager Brian Hall.

In an interview with the Verge, Hall said: “We just decided it was time to do something new and bring the best from each of those and put them together and release it right in time for the new wave of products that we could have coming out with Windows 8, with the new version of Office with the new Windows phone and the new Xbox.”

Seems fairly clear that a new Xbox was in the works. However now Microsoft is trying to say that Hall was taken out of context. When Hall mentioned a ‘new wave of products,’ he was referring to the full lineup of products coming later this year from Microsoft, including Windows 8, Office, Windows Phone and of course our fall Xbox update which will bring a host of new consumer experiences like Xbox Music, Videos, Games on Windows 8 and Xbox SmartGlass. But we would have thought that if he had meant that, he would have said it.

Anyway it is silly for Microsoft to deny that it is working on a new Xbox. It also appears that the company came close to revealing in June, but back peddled.

It would appear that the received wisdom in Microsoft's PR department is that it is best to deny what everyone knows is happening until it happens. The logic is that somehow we will be surprised.